21.3 · Sevenths & Jazz
The ii–V–I
Jazz has one move it makes more than any other: ii–V–I, its home cadence. Each root falls a fifth, so the pull to home happens twice in a row.
The ii–V–I in C
Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7. Each root falls a fifth. The strongest pull in harmony, twice in a row.
Home note · sets the key
Dm7
G7
Cmaj7
Any key, same shape
Like every progression, ii–V–I is a shape, not an address. Three more keys, one move.
Gm7
C7
Fmaj7
Am7
D7
Gmaj7
Em7
A7
Dmaj7
The minor-key cousin
Minor keys have the same cadence: iiø7 → V7 → i. That half-diminished start is why the ø7 quality exists.
Dø7
G7
Cm
Game · Did it land?
1 / 5A ii-V in a random key. Did it land on Imaj7, or stop hanging on the V7?
Quiz
1 / 3In C major, the ii–V–I is…